Medication Saved My Life but Also Robbed me of my Body

About a year ago I was put on a medication due to being diagnosed Bipolar One Disorder. This medication saved my life, but also made me gain over 70 pounds in less than a year.

Today I am starting a weight loss journey to drop down to 190 pounds by May 2026. I feel excited to go on this journey with more support this time. This is my first time losing weight in a healthy way as well.

I plan to do this by being mindful of what I am eating as well as working out 5-6 times a week with my body weight and resistance bands.

I started a community page to keep me accountable to myself, if anyone wants to join it's totally free of cost.

We can use it to keep each other accountable as well.

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Realistic expectations on how should take to lose 25% body fat?

I recently did one of those InBody scans (I know they aren't 100% accurate) and have a long term goal of loosing 25% body fat (currently over 50%). I've been overweight my entire life, I'm about to turn 27(f). I enjoy weight lifting much more than cardio, but I know I need to add more cardio to make this possible. I take kickboxing 2-4 times a week, I try to lift 4x a week (upper lower a/b workout split). I worked at a gym during 2023 and had the most weight loss I've ever experienced (about 40lbs) from May to December. I wasn't doing it the right way (skipping meals entirely) or for the right reasons (male attention), and some emotional things set me back. As of this year I've gained it all back and then some (last time I weighed in I was just shy of 270, which is the higher end of what my weight hovers around, usually somewhere between that and 240). I want to do this the right way. I want to hold myself accountable, motivate myself, and learn to make myself do it even when the motivation is gone and I'd rather rot in bed or eat junk until I feel sick instead of workout and cook nutritious food at home. What is a realistic timeframe for this goal? It's not even just a specific weight, but a %, which I assume means the lbs I need to lose will depend on how much muscle I build. For added info, I also have PCOS. I don't take anything for it, and I have no interest in weight loss medication or surgery. To each their own, but I know myself and if I can't do it naturally, I would only sabotage myself with using medical intervention. I want to build muscle, but I want to be much leaner than I am now. I struggle with counting calories, I know meal prep helps but making food choices are very stressful, and I don't want to prep something I'm not gonna eat and waste money. My main goal is to get to a place where working out is habit, and I don't have to overthink every food I put in my body. I'm 27 in a few weeks and I would love to get rid of my childhood self hate and disordered habits by 30. My mother, who I love but did a number on me mentally, still struggles with her 1980's disordered eating habits and unhealthy mindset in her 50's, I don't want that. I'm never gonna have children, but if I did I would want to lead by example of having a healthy relationship with my body and food, and I've never seen a real life example of that.

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Starting my weight loss and confidence boosting journey. What's your story?

Hello, everyone. A lot has been going through my mind about self-confidence, weight loss, appearance, and mental health. Because of that, I wanted to write this post talking about what I am doing and will be doing and I would really appreciate any feedback, tips and tricks, and your personal experiences as well.

I am a 23 year old man, 5 foot 7 inches in height, and 230 lbs in weight. Not at all happy with the way I look. I used to skinny as a child and my weight always fluctuated but in the past few years, I have not gone below 210 lbs. I'm at a point in life where the self realizations have hit that I need to get it together. I struggle a lot with self-confidence issues and am always hyper-focused on how I appear. The classic shirt tugging, then keep checking the pictures you click to see if your chest doesn't appear to be big. Nothing wrong with that of course but it brings me down a lot. I'm in my summer break right now and it has taught me a lot in many areas in my life.

My goal is to reach 190 lbs. After that, whether I want to continue or start body building, can't think about unless I achieve what I really want now.

I've made some small changes which I would like to share. For the past 6 days, I've been going to the gym. First 4 days, all I did was 15 minutes of treadmill, 3 miles per hour and 12 incline. I would feel like fainting after just those 15 minutes. Then, Saturday, I went to walk in the morning on this trail. Its located literally right next to where I live so it was easy to push myself to go. I walked around 4.2 miles in total. Not sure how many steps that was, I should have been using an app or something. Then, last night, I went to the gym and was able to be on the treadmill for 30 minutes. Granted, I raised the incline slowly this time but I was able to burn more calories so it felt really good. Legs felt horrible around the 15 minute mark but then I didn't feel any discomfort after that. I was kind of surprised. Not sure what that was. Also, I read another post about walking 20k steps per day. I might have the ability to do that some times a week so I actually might create like a 100k steps per week goal. What do you guys think of that?

Entertainment wise, I've been listening to songs and podcasts during my gym/walk time. I really want to get into interesting history or politics so if anybody has any recommendations, let me know!

Food wise, I've been roughly measuring my calorie intake. Right now, I average about 1800 calories per day. my BMR is 2000 calories per day. Do you guys think that is good enough? I'm a vegetarian (+eggs). I'm Indian so I cook Indian food at home. Mornings are either cereal or coffee with some Belvita cookies. Snacks might include low sodium chips or protein bars. Dinner and lunch is something Indian. If I order from outside, it might be the chipotle veggie bowl or the veggie wrap from chick-fil-a.

Appearance wise, I've observed a few things this past year and got some suggestions. One is to have either slightly unkempt hair but very well maintained beard or the opposite. I like to not touch my beard and let it be the way it is so I want to focus on my hair. Ordered a pomade to get it to look the way I want it to. Not sure though. Also, I used to hate the idea of accessorizing yourself with rings, necklaces, etc. But, as I've gotten older, my mind has sort of shifted. I'm getting more in tune with my family's religion (Sikh) as well and my mom has actually told me ways I could do that. Three things I'm doing is, a ring, a sikh necklace, and a sikh kara (bracelet). I have one and the others, I'll be getting soon.

All of this thinking has actually made me a bit more productive in work as well. I would love to hear everyone's stories so I can learn more and if you guys have been feedback or tips, please do share. Peace and love.

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Weight loss in 40s - ready but overwhelmed.

I’m a 45F, 5’6” and 200lbs and I would like to lose about 30lbs but I am feeling completely overwhelmed by all of the information out there.

I’ve lost weight in the past by using CICO and regular exercise (cardio and strength training mixed, which a preference to strength training) but it seems to be a lot harder now in this phase of life. As with many peopled I’ve lost and regained the same 30lbs over the years and I’m so tired of it. I am also worried that I’ve ruined certain areas of my body - like my triceps are so flabby that even if I lose weight I’m worried I’ll have stretched skin.

When I google I feel like there is so much contradictory information for weight loss.

I am specifically looking for a strength training program geared towards women as well as suggestions for food intake. I do have access to a full gym and some home equipment, just having a personal trainer is not in the budget right now.

Also any success stories from women my age would also be great to read!

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A sudden impasse.

Disclaimer: english is not my first language, and I do ramble a lot. I'll try to get this thread as polished and flowing as possible, but forgive me if there's any slip-ups. I'll make sure to double check. Also, this might be a long post. Apologies for that.

I (31 F) have always been on the chubby side, but in recent years my weight escalated into obesity. Clothes wouldn't fit me anymore, I became very short of breath even with just a minimal physical effort and I developed awful sciatica pains. It was so bad that even if I was laying down I could feel my leg tingle to the point of becoming numb and kind of cold to the touch. My weight reached 70kg, which for my build and height (149cm) is quite a lot. One morning in early September 2024 I happened to step on the scale, and the number I read was like a slap in the face. That very same morning I begun planning and acting on my weight loss journey. I worked out almost every day of the week, and slightly adjusted my diet. You know, just watched what I was eating and how much/often, and mostly cut out sugary drinks. At first I could only manage short sessions on my stepper, but I gradually developed endurance and ended up performing between 40 and 70 minutes almost every day. I started to genuinely enjoy the journey. Each 5th of the month I would have "Scale Day", and treat myself to either chinese takeout or Mcdonald's regardless of the number on the scale. But even if I mostly enjoyed working out, there's been a few lows here and there. I remember a few times when I would burst into tears while stepping from how overwhelmed I felt. My goal was reaching between 55 and 52kg by September 5, 2025. Fast forward to today, ten months later, and I dropped 15kg. I'm very close to my weight goal range and I honestly feel like I'm blooming into a better version of myself both physically and mentally. The pain is almost nonexistent, I became more confident in myself and my looks, my old clothes fit me again (some are even too big!), and I even got myself a part time job which I love.

All seems well, right?

The thing is, in the past month and a half/two months, I felt my motivation plummet to almost zero. The last scale day went really well, but I barely touched my stepper since then. I've been eating a little less healthy than usual, let some cravings win without planning them, and occasionally reintroduced storebought icetea and other sugary drinks. I considered getting myself into therapy for this and other reasons unrelated to my weight loss jouney, but since that feels like a step still too big for me I thought the next right thing would be turning to a bunch of strangers on the internet (lol). So yeah, what can I do to spark my motivation back? Why has it evaporated right before crossing the finish line to begin with? So far, the only countermeasure I took is tracking my calories intake. I only just started doing it now, because before it felt like being "too obsessed" with the whole weight loss idea. But now that my main physical activity is on hold, I figured I might do it just to be aware and keep myself in a slight and sustainable deficit. I will keep doing this until the next scale day and see how it goes from there.

Anyways, I think I'll wrap it up here. Thanks for reading, and I hope your own jouney to be smooth and joyous!

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(hopefully) helpful and simple way to start weight loss

hello everybody! ive been going through some binge eating, purposeless issues, and other life and food related problems that have made things seem really complicated and difficult. however, i find that when i look at things with a more simplistic viewpoint, it can make the process happen much smoother and more understandably. I recently created this “weight loss”/“binging” diamond that i recall or just look at my notes on my phone whenever i feel a binging episode or the desire to overeat come in. It says “Journaling” on the top, on the right corner has “mindfulness” and on the left “meditation”, and finally at the bottom it has logotherapy/paradoxical intention.

Journaling refers to the initial part of the process. you just write down when you are feeling binge-y or like overeating. very simple step, and already a great one to begin recovering in this moment.

then it’s either mindfulness or meditation. i like to use mindfulness when i am currently eating and feel the desire that, when i am done with the current meal, i will get up and get a bunch more food. obv, its ok to go back for seconds if you have calories remaining or are just still hungry, but going just to feel food in your stomach and mouth is what im trying to stop. if i ever get the sudden urge to binge, i sit down and do a 5 minute meditation. do whatever method works for you.

finally, theres the latest point that ive added, that being the paradoxical intention or logotherapy aspect. paradoxical intention is basically trying your best to do the opposite of what you want to happen. for example, if i feel the desire to binge, i will think “well in this case, i will have the GREATEST BINGE EVER!!! I will destroy the entire kitchen and food will be everywhere and i will become a supermassive black hole of food!!!” this, imo, helps to add perspective and makes it easier to step back and notice the binge as nothing more than a feeling you have the power to control, not the other way around. logotherapy is the idea that finding you meaning of life is the reason to live. i dont really know it too well, and id recommend reading a man’s search for meaning by Victor Frankl for more info about it. but basically, i use logotherapy to view life as throwing this challenge of weight loss at me, that being my unique challenge with its own ups and down, and that i will find purpose and meaning in life by doing other things than eating and fighting against the issue of food. it connects to paradoxical intention as Frankl developed both these ideas.

so, with this diamond shaped idea pattern thingy, i try to stay on my goals simply and efficiently. i just hope that, in time, the habits will set in and the desire to binge will fade, meaning i wont need to rely on any arbitrary techniques to help me through the day. i just hope these methods can help u in ur journey, wherever you are!

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Maintaining weight loss after concussion

Long story short: I got concussed 7 weeks ago. I didn’t eat for 2 (extreme nausea), and it’s been a struggle for me to eat since but I’ve slowly increased my caloric intake. I’m prioritising protein intake and am working with doctors to regain muscle.

About me: Prior to concussion I weighed about 67kg. I’m now just under 60kg. I’m female and my height is 166cm. My max weight was 89kgs.

Goals: I want to regain lost muscle (I’m aware I would’ve lost muscle due to such rapid weight loss), but I still have a lot of body fat (way more than I had when I used to be this weight years ago). I also want to regain my previous cardiovascular fitness (which has improved but it’s still not back to normal). I want to use this if possible to kick start better, healthier habits. I want to avoid this turning into disordered eating that is long term.

Questions: Is it possible for me to avoid “blowing back up” to my previous weight, or should I expect this? How do I restore any damage to my metabolism?

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